The New York Rangers (6-1-1) take on the Washington Capitals (5-2-0) Tuesday. Puck drop from Capital One Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Rangers vs. Capitals odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Tied 2-2 last season
The Rangers followed up their first regulation loss of the season with a 2-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks Saturday as -282 favorites. Backup G Jonathan Quick was stellar, stopping 32 of 33 shots fired his way. LW Artemi Panarin dished his 9th assist of the season to go with his 6 goals.
The Caps snapped a 5-game winning streak with a 3-0 loss in Tampa Bay Saturday. G Charlie Lindgren stopped 18 of 21 in the snoozy game. The Caps outshot the Lightning 32-21 and went 0-for-2 on the power play. C Dylan Strome leads the team with 9 points, and 6 are via assist.
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Rangers at Capitals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 3:54 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Capitals +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+165) | Capitals +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Rangers at Capitals projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (4-1-1, 2.16 GAA, .926 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Logan Thompson (3-0-0, 3.28 GAA, .884 SV%)
Shesterkin dropped his last start 3-1 Thursday against the Florida Panthers. He was solid, stopping 26 of 29 shots along the way. The Cats started fast, scoring 2 of the 3 goals within the first 3 minutes, and the Rangers never recovered. He was 2-1-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .926 SV% last season against the Caps.
Thompson is coming off a 6-3 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers Wednesday where he stopped 26 of 29. He is undefeated, but he has been tested, allowing 2, 5 and 3 goals in his 3 starts. He faced the Rangers once last season and was stellar. He stopped 29 of 30 in a 5-1 victory.
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Rangers at Capitals picks and predictions
Prediction
Capitals 3, Rangers 1
Moneyline
The Rangers have won 5 straight meetings, including 4 straight in the Stanley Cup playoffs last year. However, their 2 trips to Washington ended up in defeat last regular season. Despite the goose egg in their last game, the Caps are hitting the back of the net with 3+ goals in every other game.
Take a shot with the CAPITALS +125.
Puck line/Against the spread
We’re taking the plus-money ML, so PASS on the puck line.
Over/Under
It sounds like an oxymoron, but I’m high on the Under here. The Rangers are 3-4-1 O/U, and the Caps are 4-3 thus far. The Rangers are on a bit of a dry spell with 3 goals in the last 2, and the Caps were blanked last game.
Take the UNDER 6 (-115).
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